American Bar Association Panel: Bush Signing Statements Undermines the Rule of Law

Interview with Michael Greco, president of the American Bar Association, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

On July 23, a bi-partisan panel of the American Bar Association issued a report declaring that President George W. Bush's use of signing statements is unconstitutional. In the 5 1/2 years of his presidency, Bush has issued over 800 statements that he will not enforce selected provisions of bills that he's signed. The extent of this practice under Bush came to light April 30 of this year when a Boston Globe reporter Charlie Savage catalogued all of the president's signing statements. The best-known is probably his statement that he would not enforce the ban on torture passed by Congress earlier this year.

Between The Lines' Melanie Tuhus spoke with Michael Greco, president of the American Bar Association. He convened the panel, which unanimously supported four recommendations for corrective action that will be taken up at the ABA's convention in Hawaii Aug. 7 and 8. Greco says he's confident the entire organization will embrace the recommendations.

Greco discusses Bush's rationales for his signing statements and the danger the practice poses to American democracy.

To read the report, visit the group's website at www.abanet.org. To contact the ABA, call 1- (800) 285.2221.

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